The History Page

Note these unit histories were prepared at various times. Most appear to be
written during the war. No attempt was made to edit the histories for time
consistency. If you can add information to the histories or help complete them
please email Ralph Grambo

The 4th Transportation Command was activated in March 1942 at Fort Lawton,
Washington. Initially located in the Port of Liverpool, the Command achieved
outstanding results while supporting the North African Campaign and later the
invasion of Sicily. Shortly after the Normandy landings, the Command was
directed to organize and operate the Port of Cherbourgh..

At the end of World War II, the Command returned to the United States and
was reactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, in December 1945.

In June 1945, a need developed to update the Army's water terminal methods
and techniques and to work out these details, the Command was reactivated at
Fort Eustis, Virginia. New concepts for logistical over the shore (LOTS)
operations which utilized BARCS DUKS and, later, LARCs were born in the mid and
late 50s and early 60s. The Command combined the LOTS concepts with improved
conventional terminal Operations. Terminal units from The Command were called
into overseas service in both the Dominican Republic Crisis and for duty in
Vietnam.

Alerted for movement in May 1965, the organization arrived in Vietnam on 12
August 1965. Its first assigned mission was to operate water terminals at
Saigon, Nha Be, Cat Lai, Cam Ranh Bay, Vung Tau, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, Phan Rang
and other locations as directed. The Command was further charged to furnish
direct motor transport in support of port and beach clearance, to support
tactical requirements and to establish an Air Cargo terminal in Saigon.
Initially, the Command had approximately 7,500 troops under its direction to
accomplish these missions. Most U.S. Army divisional size units, some smaller
units (both U.S. and Allied) and an estimated 70 percent of all supplies for
United States and Allied forces in Vietnam have been landed at ports operated
by the Command.

With the establishment of the U.S. Army Support Commands at Cam Ranh Bay and
Qui Nhon in early 1966, the water terminal operations were transferred to them.
The Command' s mission was altered to that of operating the Saigon Port complex,
a sub-port at Vung Tau and various ammunition distribution sites.

During the Command's first year in Vietnam, nearly 1.4 million tons of
military cargo had been handled at the Saigon Port alone with an average of 100
,ships each month.

Beginning 4 July 1966 the Command was assigned the further mission of
handling U.S. Agency for International Development and Commercial Import Program
cargo. Members of the Command are also serving as advisors to officials of the
Republic of Vietnam who operate the commercial port of Saigon.

With the opening of Newport in August 1966, a recently constructed facility
north of Saigon, some of the heavy burden has been taken off the port of Saigon.
These newest docks in the Saigon area serve re-routed ships which formerly tied
up much of Saigon Port's traffic, plus refining and expediting, handling of
USAID/CIP cargo.

In July 1967 the U.S . Army Transportation Battalion Vung Tau/Delta
(Provisional) was established to operate the U.S. Army Terminal Vung Tau/Delta
and to command control the 5th Transportation Company (heavy boat), the 329th
Transportation Company (heavy Boat) and the 1097th Transportation Company
(Medium. Boat).

One of the Command's major achievements in 1966 followed the SS Baton Rouge
Victory disaster in August. The Victims, of the underwater mine explosion which
blew up the vessel, were brought to hospitals by boats assigned to this Command
our tugs helped beach the stricken ship, thus keeping the vital ship channel in
the Saigon River, open. Personnel and equipment of the Command managed to
salvage a major portion of the cargo aboard the ship which was destined £or
Saigon and transported it upriver on barges to its destination.

The 4th Transportation Command consists of three transportation terminal
service battalions, the 11th Transportation Battalion and 71st Transportation
Battalion, the U.S. Army Transportation Battalion Vung Tau/Delta (Provisional),
and the 125th (Terminal A) Transportation Command.

The 125th Transportation Command was activated at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, On
25 May 1966. The initial mission of the Command was training, organizing,
staffing and equipping itself and subordinate organizations for deployment to an
overseas area.

A concentrated training program was developed and initiated. The training
program contained minimum mandatory subjects. Training began with a five-week
period of basic training which ended with a seven day field training exercise at
Ft. Story, Virginia. During the field exercise the units participated in two
types of exercises. A period of two weeks advance training for the unit
followed.

Concurrently, arrangements for individual training was completed. Selected
officers were sent for on-the-job training and special area orientation at such
installations as Savannah Outport, Georgia, Sunny Point Outport South Carolina,
Military Ocean Terminal, Brooklyn, New York, Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne,
New Jersey, and Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Enlisted personnel received training at
the U.S. Army Transportation Center Leadership School, Ft. Eustis; Virginia,
First U..S. Army Chemical-Biological-Radiological (CRB) School, Ft. Meade,
Marylandl and, the U.S. Army Transportation School, Ft. Eustis, Virginia, and
other locations.

The 125th arrived in the the Republic of Vietnam on 4 October 1966 and was
assigned to the 4th Transportation Command (Terminal C). The unit has a unique
task, in that it assists the Director General of Ports, Republic of Vietnam in
developing more efficient methods which are required to improve operations of
the Saigon Port.

The period 1 January 1967 thru 31 March 1967 saw significant progress in the
program to improve the management and operation of the Saigon Commercial Port.
The period 4 October 1966 thru 31 December 1966 saw the initiation of the
improvement program, and the acceptance of revised principles and techniques of
port management by the various military, governmental and private commercial
interests in the port. After 1 January 1967 with a reorganization of the Port
Authority and appointment of new officials at the national and local level, the
Port of Saigon experienced an accelerated pace in. the improvement of operations
and port management. Plans and programs initiated in the previous quarter began
to show results.

Concurrently, importers, bankers, the Chamber of Commerce, and the new
Minister of Finance exhibited a positive interest in accelerating port
clearance, and accepting the fact that the basic problem was an economic one
rather than one that could be entirely corrected at the port. The Market
congestion problem became generally accepted as a problem in both Vietnamese and
U.S. economic circles.

The U.S. Army Transportation Battalion Vung Tau/Delta previsional was
formed 30 July 1967.

The Battalion was given the mission of operating the U.S. Army Terminal Vung
Tau/Delta and commanding the 5th Transportation Company (Heavy Boat), the 329th
Transportation Company (Heavy Boat), the 1097th Transportation Company (Medium
Boat), and the 626th, 630th, 633rd, and 634th Transportation Detachments. The
nucleus of the present battalion headquarters came from the 511th
Transportation Detachment (Tm JD), contract supervision, which was an eight man
detachment for supervision of the Alaska Barge and Transport Company.

The battalion headquarters were fully Operational in all staff elements by
31 August 1967. Additional efforts have been made to manage port operations in
such a way as to assist AB&T to become more efficient and thus reach the
6o,ooo S/T cargo handled per month programed for this port beginning 1
September; heretofore, the programed tonnage for Vung Tau was only 45,000 s/t.
The present capability of this port is limited only by the consignee's ability
to receive cargo. We could easily move 90,000 s/T thru the port if consignees
could return the truck fleet expeditiously.

There are two (2) deep draft berths at the Delong Pier. In addition there
are five (5) anchorage berths in the stream, three (3) of which are used for all
cargo, the best protected for troop ships, and the farthest out for ammo ships.
A short pier is used primarily for barges. Additionally there are three (3) LST
slips, one of which is used primarily for loading and discharge LCU's. Vung
Tau/Delta has four principal consignees in the area: PA&E, 53rd General
Support Depot, 2d Maintenance Battalion and the 148th Ordnance Battalion.

The two heavy boat companies are committed daily to Can Tho, Dong Tam,
Vinh Long, Phu Quoc, Qui Nhon, Ham Tan, French Fort, and Baria. In addition to
cargo missions, the heavy boats are used for troop moves and in support of
tactical operations.

The medium boat company is based at Dong Tam and is in general support of
the 9th Infantry Division and direct support of the 3d Battalion, 34th
Artillery. This company works with the Mekong Delta Riverine Assault Force
(MDRAF), a Navy flotilla serving as home base for the 2d Brigade, 9th Infantry
which makes beach landings throughout the Delta.

Seven of the Mike 8's have special construction in the well decks for
Battalion FDC, Battalion Command Post (Bn Cp), Battery FDC's, and a first aid
station. The remaining boats in the company are utilized to tow artillery and
mortar barges into firing positions, plus keep our own maintenance barge with
the company while on missions.

The 11th Transportation Battalion was activated 1 October 1941, at Ft.
Hamilton, New York, as the 369th Quartermaster Battalion (Port). The unit was
redesignated the 369th Port Battalion, Transportation Corps, 31 July 1942. The
battalion served in England, North Africa, Italy and France during World War II
and was awarded campaign streamers £or Sicily (with arrowhead), Rome-Arno,
Southern France and Rhineland. The unit was inactivated at Marseille France, 13
March 1946.

Redesignated the 11 th Transportation Port Battalion ion on 29 September
1948, it was reactivated 4 October 1948 at Ft.Eustis, Virginia. The Unit's
current designation became effective 2 October 1954.

The Battalion arrived in the Republic 0f Vietnam 5 August 1965 from Ft.
Eustis. Upon arrival it was deployed to Saigon Port, Vietnam; to prepare for
the massive logistical buildup. One of the original units of the 4th
Transportation Command in Vietnam, in less than two months the battalion had
assumed operational control of the Port from the U.S. Navy, disembarked and
staged the 1st infantry Division into the country and was engaged in discharging
unprecedented tonnage of supplies and equipment in support of Free World Forces.

When the operations of Saigon Port were taken over by the 4th Transportation
Command, the 11th moved to Long Binh and assumed the primary mission of a truck
battalion. During this period its personnel participated in operations
Greenlight, Moonlight, Hardihood and Birmingham, providing general support for
field operations.

On 12 May 1966 the truck companies were transferred to another unit and the
11th returned to Saigon and assumed the barge discharge operations, supporting
the Saigon Port and the logistical over the shore (LOTS) operation at Vung Tau.
During the unit's first year in Vietnam, it was credited with transporting over
1.6 million tons of cargo over the waterways, piers and highways.

The unit's present mission is to provide vessels and personnel to move cargo
along the inland waterways to final discharge sites, as well as providing
personnel and equipment for terminal service at various port locations within
the Republic of Vietnam.

To carry out its mission, the battalion has three companies assigned and
several detachment-sized units.

The 71st Transportation Battalion was constituted as the 48th Quartermaster
Regiment (Truck) 1 May 1936. The 71st was activated at Ft. Benning, Georgia, 10
February 1941 and redesignated as the 48th Quartermaster truck Regiment on 14
December 1942. In December 1943, the unit was split and again redesignated as
the 71st Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, and the 48th Quartermaster Group. on
15 April 1946, the 71st was inactivated in Japan.. The unit was once more
activated on 1 August 1946, as the 71st Transportation Corps Truck Battalion.
During World War II the unit served in the Southwest Pacific area with merit and
valor.

On 28 June 1954, the unit was redesignated as the 71st Transportation
Battalion (helicopter) and was activated at Marshall Field, Ft.Riley, Kansas, 19
July 1954. The primary mission of the 71st was to activate, supply and
supervise the training of helicopter companies and to prepare them as
combat-ready units for assignments overseas or with other units in the United
States. This new battalion was the first of its kind to be activated by the
Army. Dramatic results of this training can be seen by the results obtained
from the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) end their employment in the Republic
of Vietnam from 1965 to date.

On 20 March 1956, three H-12 helicopters of one of the companies assigned to
the Battalion accomplished one of its most memorable feats when they endured
sub-zero temperatures, plus ice and snow, to scale the tricky slopes and land
atop Pikes Peak, Colorado, to set a new altitude record at 14,110 feet.

The 71st departed for the Republic of Korea on 2 October 1961, where it was
assigned the mission of conducting training exercises with the Armed Forces of
Korea and delivering critically needed supplies to Korean Communities stricken
by floods and other disasters. The unit was again inactivated 24 September
1963.

Reactivated at Ft. Story, Virginia, 24 June 1965, the unit had the mission
to support, plan and supervise training and major activities for subordinate
units. In January 1966, the 71st was assigned as a major subordinate command
under the U.S. Army Transportation Training Center, Ft. Eustis, Virginia.
Alerted for overseas movement in August 1966, the main body of the Battalion
arrived in the Republic of Vietnam in October 1966. Its present mission is to
operate water terminal activities in the Newport-Thu Duc area.

The Newport facility, which opened in August 1966, is a new water terminal
facility north of Saigon which has been constructed to take some of the heavy
burden off the Port of Saigon. These newest docks in the Saigon area serve
re-routed ships which formerly tied up much of Saigon Port's traffic. They also
refine and expedite handling of USAID/CIP cargo. When completed, Newport will
have four berths for deep draft (ocean going) vessels, four barge sites, two LST
slips and one LCU slip. To carry out its mission, the battalion has five
terminal service companies assigned; the 154th, 368th, 561st, 567th and 551st.

The 561st Transportation Company has a double mission. First, of the two
missions, to maintain the cargo and vehicle staging areas at U .S. Army
Terminal Newport and secondly is the unloading of deep draftvessels at U.S. Arny
Terninal Newport.

The 567th Transportation Company was the first unit attached to the 71st
Transportation Battalion and has the mission of building the new compound which
is now called "Camp Camelot" - Home of the 71st ~B (Tml). December
1966, a detachment of the 567th moved to lhe Mekong Delta to support the 9th
infantry Division Base Camp at Dong Tam. This detachment was the first American
unit at Dong Tarn and had the supplies waiting for the 9th Inf Div waiting on
the beach when they arrived. The 567th Trans Co also has a mission of unloading
vessels at U.S. Army Terminal Newport.

"River Rats" The 1099th Transportation Company (Medium Boat,
LCM-8) is Headquartered at Camp Davies near Saigon The 1099th supports units in
the Mekong Delta whenever called upon. Their missions range from assisting in
recovering downed helicopters in the Dong Nai River, pushing cargo barges
anywhere in the Saigon area and pushing gravel laden barges from French Fort to
Tan An in support of base camp construction by the U.S. 9th Infantry Division.

1099TH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY (Medium Boat)--from Armin Schmalz

The 1099th Transportation Company (Medium Boat) was deployed to the Republic
of Vietnam in 1965 to provide landing craft for the movement of personnel and
cargo in support of Saigon Port and Vung Tau sub-port operations. The mission
has expanded to include all types of cargo which is moved throughout III and IV
military regions on the inland waterways.

At present the 1099th is one of 3 Landing Craft Medium or LCM-8 Boat
companies in the Republic of Vietnam. The 1099th is prsently based at the Cat
Lai Arry Terminal about 8 miles due east of Saigon. The boats of the "brown
water navy" have been deployed as far south as the old French resort town
of Cap. Ste. Jacques (Vung Tau), and as far west as the Cambodian border. Of
course, trips to Saigon and the neighboring area are common. The boats
generally transport two commodities: amnnmition and general cargo. The Cat Lai
Terminal is the primary ammunition offloading point for most of southern and
Delta area of Vietnam. Ocean going ships, unable to travel further upstream,
discharge their cargo in mid-river to barges and the boats which transport the
amunition up to the main depot at Long Binh.

The 1099th has served under three commanders in the past year. CPT William
B. Harriman Jr. handled operations during the first part of 1970 and was
relieved by CFT William J. Provinse on the 27th of Februsry. CPT Provinse in
turn was relieved by lLT John F. Hoverson on the 5th of October.

The company has recently been involved in an important combat support
operation in the U Minh Forest since the last part of November 1970. It is the
1099th River Rat job to provide POL and ammunition to the 1st Aviation Brigade's
164th Combat Air Group (CAG) supporting the 21st ARVN Division's search and
clear operations. The 1099th "Mike" boats are fitted with 5000 gallon
POL tanks or 10,000 gallon bladders in their well decks in order to bring JP4
from the mouth of the Song Ong Doc River up river to Thoi Binh for discharge.
There is also a maintenance boat along with other boats which carry ammunition
that are involved in this operation. They operate out of Ca Mau, the base of
operations. The crews of these boats are faced with danger everyday. During
trips up and down the river, they are constantly subject to river ambushes and
operate continually under extremely adverse conditions.

All of this has helped to make the 1099th the inost decorated Transportation
Boat Unit in Vietnam. They have been awarded mimerous Silver Stars, Bronze
Stars for valor and Army Commendation Medals. As a unit the 1099th has been
awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Award and has been
recommended for a Presidential Unit Citation.

HISTORY OF l59TH TRANSPORTATION BATTALION (TERMINAL)
On 1 September 1953, the 159th Transportation Battalion (Boat), was activated
and given the mission of furnishing and operating landing craft for logistical
and combat support of Army forces in joint amphibious operations as well as
providing tactical mobility, combat and logistical support in ship to shore
missions. During World War II four engineer Special Brigades were tasked with a
similar mission. From these deactivated units the 159th inherited the tradition
of wearing "red patches". The patches were originally authorized as a
means of identifying boat personnel who were given general freedom of hostile
beaches to continue their assigned missions.

In 1954, green combat leader's identification tabs were authorized,
designating the 159th Transportation Battalion (Boat) as a combat battalion: the
only unit so designated in the Transportation Corps. "Hit the Beach"
became the unit's official motto.

From the date of its inception until the spring of 1965, the battalion was
stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where it provided support for the training
missions of the U.S. Transportation School. On 4 May 1965, it was deployed to
the Dominican Republic as part of Power Pak III. Supervising the off-loading of
cargo ships and LSTs at Puerto De Andres and Puerto De Hainia became the
battalion's mission for the next three-and-a-half months. When it returned to
Fort Eustis on 17 August 1965, the l59th assumed responsibility for operation of
3rd Port Complex and on 21 December was redesignated as a terminal battalion.

The following spring the 159th Transportation Battalion (Terminall) was
alerted for deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. The main body of the unit
arrived in Qui Nhon on 10 August 1966. Ten of the units assigned to the 394th
Transportation Battalion were attached to the 159th as the newly arrived unit
assumed the mission of operating the LST beach and outer harbor discharge at Qui
Nhon. In February 1968 these units were returned to the 394th and the 159th was
sent north to be assigned to the Da Nang Support Command (Provisional).

Its new mission was to operate a LOTS (Logistical over-The-Shore)
opereration on a strip of beach fifteen miles south of the DMZ. It came to be
known as "Wunder Beach." After seven months the battalion was forced
to leave "Wunder Beach" because of the impending monsoon season.
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment was deployed south to Vung Tau, a
peninsula thirty miles south-east of Saigon.

Since 1 September 1968 it has operated U.S. Army Terminal, Vung Tau. The
battalion is assigned three boat companies, 5th Trans Co (Hcavy Boat, 1099th
Trans Co (Medium Boat) and 124th Trans Co (Terminal Service). Under the control
of the battalion's boat operations center these units haul military supplies
throughout the waterways of the Delta.

Letter from Captain Robert W. Cowan to DA Chief of Military History, 20
March 1971

On 1 January 1970, the 403rd Transportation Company (TT) was located at Da
Nang, Republic of Vietnam, under the command of Captain James B. Chaplin.

The mission of the 403rd Transportation Company (TT) at this time was to
assist the 663rd Collection-Classification and Salvage Company to construct
pallets and wooden crates for retrograde engines, components and major end
assemblies.

On 21 February 1970, the 403rd's Unit Headquarters and the First Platoon
departed from Da Nang and established its base of operations at Tan My Ramp,
Republic of Vietnam. Under the command of the 863rd Transportation company
(Provisional) the 403rd Transportation Company (TT) worked at the shallow draft
port at Tan My Ramp. The unit strength at this time was 4 Officers and 178
enlisted men. The second platoon moved to Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. Both the
second and third platoons were attached to other Units and removed from the
403rd's morning report.

The mission of the 403rd's Headquarters and first platoons at this time was
to operate Tan My Ramp. Tan My Ramp operation consisted of off loading and back
loading LST's and YFU's. The 403rd Transportation Company (TT) also had the
responsibility to ship all incoming cargo out to consignees at Phu Bai and Quang
Tri. Shortly after the 403rd arrived at Tan My the output of the Ramp increased
to over 20,000 tons per month.

The 403rd Transportation Company (TT) also was assigned the mission of
moving personnel to and from Tan My Island and Ramp. To help accomplish this
mission the second platoon of the 544th Transportation Company (Medium Boat) was
assigned to the 403rd.

On 24 April 1970, Captain Gerald A. Soltis assumed command. The Unit
strength had changed to 5 Officers and 172 enlisted men. The mission of the
403rd Transportation Company (TT) remained identical to that stated earlier.

On 11 July 1970 Captain Bruce B. Cary assumed command. The Unit strength had
increased to 5 Officers and 238 enlisted personnel. The mission had not changed,
but operations had increased to 30,000 tons per month.

In December 1970 the 403rd Transportation Company (TT) was assigned the
additional mission of operating Don Ha Ramp. The operation was small, but by the
end of December Don Ha Ramp averaged over 10,000 tons of cargo.

The 403rd Transportation Company (TT) had proved beyond any shadow of doubt
that they possessed a certain inherent flexibility which could meet any
challenge that circumstances might dictate. The 403rd Transportation Company
(TT) received great praise from the 26th General support Group Commander and the
United States Army Support Command, Da Nang for its outstanding performance.